We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

The Air Force White Alice Communication Site operated from 1955 to 1979; the site has since been converted into a middle school and high school. Contaminants of potential concern include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum products. CERCLA AK8570028615. The Air Force and ADEC conducted PCB cleanup between 1979 and 1981. The property was subsequently transferred from Air Force to State of Alaska. In 1994, ADEC was notified of additional drums and possible contamination at the site. A preliminary assessment was completed in 1996. EPA conducted a Site Inspection in 1997 and documented high levels of PCB in soil outside the middle school.
The federal government, its' prior contractors that operated the facility, the School District and State are potentially responsible parties for the necessary cleanup. The Corps of Engineers cleaned the inside of the Middle School and covered PCB contaminated soil outside the school in 1998. DEC has conducted further site characterization and partial cleanup outside the school. The state and federal governments and private PRPs are negotiating a settlement agreement to cover the remaining cleanup costs.
EPA ID AK0001383827

Action Information

Action Date

Action

Description

DEC Staff

5/1/1979

Update or Other Action

In 1978, the Air Force decommissioned the site, and then issued a license for full occupancy rights to the Kuspuk School District (KSD) on May 1, 1979. The site transfer was delayed due to the stipulation that the site be surveyed for contamination.

Jennifer Roberts

4/30/1980

Update or Other Action

In May 1980, Kuspuk School District (KSD), leasee, contracted two construction companies to remove the electrical and generating equipment from the former White Alice Communication (WAC) building. Allegedly, it was during this time that multiple spills of PCB oil from transformers, PCB oil mixed with ethylene glycol, and a spill of 300-500 gallons of ethylene glycol occurred.

Jennifer Roberts

7/29/1983

Update or Other Action

In July 1983, ADEC conducted a PCB Cleanup Report, which included sampling of on-site soils and drinking water wells. The laboratory results from the investigation could not be located and were not fully discussed in the report. During the time that the electrical equipment was being removed, the PCB transformers were temporarily stored in an area located near the southeast corner of the WAC building now the Middle School). A majority of the PCBs and PCB/antifreez mixture was spilled from both inside and outside the WAC facility at the southeast corner of the buildings (Areas F & G).
In addition, approximately 6 PCB capacitors were burned and buried at the southwest corner of the WAC building (Area E). Drums of PCBs mixed with ethylene glycol were also reported to have been stored in this area and later moved to the drum disposal area (Areas B & C). In addition, two drums of this mixture were also reported to have been dumped in Area B. According to the ADEC report, PCBs were recovered from this area, however no documentation to support this contamination was located. Nickel-cadmium batery packs have also been documented to have been buried in Area C.
PCB/antifreeze mixture has also been reported to have been spilled outside the south door of the WAC facility at the southeast corner of the building (Area F). This area was reported to have been excavated by the Air Force in October 1981 and the existing concrete slab was extended to cap any residual contamination. In addition, the floor just inside the southeast door of the WAC building has been sealed. It was reported that the floor was not sealed successfully, however, no details were provided in the report. In addition, the Air Force allegedly removed contaminated soil from Area C, where PCBs were detected in samples collected by ADEC (no documentation was found).
It has also been reported that a mixture of PCBs and anti-freeze was dumped on the ground in the area of the septic tank and that PCBs mixed with alcohol was flushed down into the toilet into the septic system. ADEC conducted sampling at the septic tank and found PCBs in the manway, however, the documentation to support this could not be located.
ADEC went back to the site in July 1983, to conduct further sampling of the potentially contaminated areas (Area C & G). It has been documented that extensive soil sampling was conducted at this time and PCBs were found at depths of 4 to 5 feet below ground surface and at concentrations between 460 and 28,000 ppm. However, the sample results to support this could not be located. At this time, ADEC excavated, and transported out-of-state for disposal, five 85-gallon drums of contaminated soils, as well as removing five drums of naptha, three drums of P.D. 680 (a form of Stoddard Solvent), two drums of trichloroethene, and three 20-gallon drums of carbon remover. According to the report, a total of 128 cubic feet of contaminated soil was removed near the surface (by hand) in Area C.

Jennifer Roberts

1/25/1989

Site Added to Database

PCBs and petroleum contamination.

No Longer Assigned

4/30/1991

Update or Other Action

After the transfer survey was completed, the former WAC facility was transferred in 1991 to ADOT&PF, who in turn leases the portions of the property to KSD, the Alaska Department of Education, and Alascom, Inc.

Jennifer Roberts

8/9/1991

Site Number Identifier Changed

Changed Region from 22 to 25 to reflect Western district now.

No Longer Assigned

6/16/1995

Site Ranked Using the AHRM

Initial ranking. Action code added because it wasn't when the site was originally ranked.

Ray Dronenburg

5/22/1996

Update or Other Action

Halverson and Palmieri inspected the site. Approximately 60 drums are still in the alders behind the school.

Anne Marie Palmieri

9/30/1996

Update or Other Action

In September 1996, an Investigation Report was conducted by the Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the investigation was to locate the drums at the site, determine the number present, estimate the volume of liquid in the drums, locate the school drinking water wells, and sample the soil associated with the drums. A total of forty-nine drums of what appeared to be used petroleum products and 20 pails of asphalt were found during the site investigation. Soil samples were collected at two locations in the area containing abandoned drums (Area B) where soil staining was observed.
Samples were analyzed for diesel range organics (DRO) AK102, residual range organics (RRO) AK103. Sample #1 was collected at the base of the pallet containing the leaking "turbine oil " drum. Results showed DRO at 7,100 ppm and RRO at 64,000 ppm. Sample #2 was collected between the "lube oil" drum and a "dry cleaning solvent" drum. Results showed DRO at 3,700 ppm and RRO at 9,900 ppm. A volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis was also performed on this sample (8260). No VOCs were detected. The samples were not analyzed for PCBs.
The Corps also observed a partially buried battery pack, 14 asphalt pails, and 14 scattered drums in Area C. Four of the drums were found in a water-filled pit assumbed to be the excavation area discussed above. The drums appeared to be full of water. Adjacent to the pit was a soil mound that allegedly contained several nickel-cadmium battery packs. A soil sample was collected at the edge of the pit near the mound with the battery.

John Halverson

1/15/1997

Preliminary Assessment Approved

Aniak Area-wide Preliminary Assessment conducted. No area-wide groundwater impacts were found. Recommended a Site Inspection under CERCLA at WACS/Middle School.

Anne Marie Palmieri

9/20/1997

Update or Other Action

EPA completed a Site Inspection under CERCLA. During the investigation, PCB contaminated soil was identified outside the former generator room (Wood Shop area) and in a drum storage/disposal area. Samples collected outside the Middle School building contained PCB concentrations that exceed the TSCA cleanup levels (50 mg/kg). PCB contamination was also encountered in the septic system. Subsequent sampling showed PCBs were present on the floors within the building.

John Halverson

9/30/1997

Site Ranked Using the AHRM

Site reranked by staff. Changed Toxicity Value from 2.1 to 4; Quantity Value from 2.1 to 2; Release from 0.2 to 1; Site Access Value from 1 to 3; Air Exposure Index Value from 0.2 to 0.1; Population Density Value from 0 to 5; Population Proximity Value from 0.5 to 1; GW Usage Value from 0.1 to 1; and Multiple Sources from "N" to "Y". Former score was 0, too many unknowns. Ranks as high priority.

Anne Marie Palmieri

11/23/1997

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RPL1 - Initiate Dialog with RP). PRP letters were mailed to the Corps of Engineers, Alaska Department of Education and the ADOT&PF (as the landowner). The Corps contractor was to cover PCB contaminated soil outside the school with a fabric liner and clean gravel over the weekend.

John Halverson

11/30/1997

Interim Removal Action Approved

Following the EPA SI, the US Army Corp of Engineers conducted a time critical removal action in the winter of 1997-1998, during which the interior of the Middle School was cleaned and a temporary cap was placed over the PCB contaminated soil adjacent to the Wood Shop. The cap reportedly consisted of a geotextile liner and approximately 6" of clean sand and gravel placed ontop of the liner.

John Halverson

3/2/1998

Interim Removal Action Approved

Received the final report for Aniak Middle School PCB Decontamination. It documents cleaning and confirmation sampling inside the school building. Results show the indoor cleaning was successful.

John Halverson

6/15/1998

Update or Other Action

Approved Shannon and Wilson workplan under contract to ADEC to define extent of PCB contamination in soil outside and around the Middle School. Sixteen hand borings were advanced to depths 2.5 and 8 feet bgs near the southeast corner of the Middle School to assess the extent of PCB-impacted soil in this area. Twenty-five soil samples from these borings and an additional 35 surface soil samples were collected for PCB analyses.

John Halverson

9/23/1998

Update or Other Action

Received final site assessment report on PCB contamination. Based on the analytical results of this assessement, the volume of soil impacted with PCB contamination greater than 10 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) was estimated to be between 380 and 460 in-place cubic yards (440 to 530 excavated cuibic yards). The majority of this material appears to be contained within the areas designated Areas F and G. Additional isolated locations that contained PCB concentrations between 1 and 10 mg/kg were also identified outside Areas F and G. The report indicates the removal action by the Corps sucessfully covered areas with elevated PCB levels (> 50 mg/kg).

John Halverson

10/6/1998

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Approved Shannon and Wilson workplan for site characterization at four DOT sites in Aniak (under state sites MOA). The fuel tank farm at the former WACS is included.

John Halverson

10/16/1998

Interim Removal Action Approved

ADEC granted the Corps approval to transport ~60 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil to Alaska Soil Recycling in Anchorage for thermal treatment and ~40 cubic yards of soil to a permitted TSDF in the lower 48. The approval included a request for documentation on proper treatment/disposal in the final report. This removal is associated with a drum disposal area between the school and the airport runway.

John Halverson

12/18/1998

Update or Other Action

ADEC received and accepted the Phase I site characterization report for the four DOT sites under the MOU. Phase II (soil borings and monitoring wells) will be conducted in the spring.

John Halverson

1/19/1999

Update or Other Action

ADEC sent a letter to the Corps requesting cooperation in completing a cost sharing agreement. It summarized work done to date, prior discussions on cost sharing, compilation of historical information and plans to develop either an interim or final cost sharing agreement.

John Halverson

2/23/1999

Update or Other Action

ADEC sent a letter to the Corps summarizing a cost sharing agreement meeting held earlier in the day. The Corps was completing its administrative paperwork to get approval to work on the PCB project, planned to draft an initial agreement for negotiations. ADEC informed the Corps that it has funding available to cover a portion of the cleanup in 1999, if the Corps funds a portion. If agreement is not reached in a timely manner, the work will not be possible in 1999.

John Halverson

5/10/1999

Update or Other Action

Corps submitted a report on a drum removal addressing the ~60 drums from the alders behind the school. The report is insufficient to document whether the removal was sucessful in meeting applicable cleanup levels and requirements. Further documentation or work is necessary in this area.

John Halverson

9/30/1999

Site Characterization Report Approved

Shannon and Wilson's Phase II Site Assessment Report for DOT/PF Sites in Aniak is accepted as a final report. Shallow soil contamination was found in the tankfarm area, but no groundwater contamination was found above applicable cleanup levels. A proposed soil cleanup level for fuel contamination at the tank farm area was developed using a leaching model. The report concludes that approximately one cubic yard of soil at this site may exceed the proposed cleanup level. Additional surface soil samples were collected around the Middle School building to further characterize the extent of PCB impacts between the capped area and the back door for the school (dormatory end). No PCBs were found above 2 ppm in these samples.

John Halverson

11/4/1999

Update or Other Action

ADEC sent a letter to the Corps of Engineers requesting it prioritize cost sharing negotiations with the State so agreement can be reached and the cleanup work done during the summer of 2000.

John Halverson

9/18/2000

Update or Other Action

EPA CERCLA Site Reassessment initiated 6/30/99 completed.

Bruce Wanstall

6/15/2001

Cleanup Assumed by ADEC

ADEC signed a notice to proceed with Shannon and Wilson to have them conduct PCB soil cleanup at around the woodshop at the Middle School. The State and the Federal Government are PRPs at the site. ADEC is proceeding with the cleanup concurrent with cost sharing negotiations with the Corps and Department of Justice.

John Halverson

7/27/2001

Cleanup Level(s) Approved

EPA reviewed and commented on the draft cleanup plan, it stated that under the self implementing rule in TSCA (40CFR 761.61) soil at the site needs to be cleanup to < 1 mg/kg PCB, which applies to high occupancy areas.

John Halverson

7/27/2001

Cleanup Plan Approved

ADEC and EPA approved the soil cleanup workplan.

John Halverson

11/27/2001

Update or Other Action

ADEC reviewed and commented on the draft cleanup report. Due to the lower cleanup level (1 mg/kg in subsurface soil, rather than 10 as had been anticipated) the volume of soil needing to be cleaned up significantly exceeded the scope of work and available funding. Additional cleanup is necessary.

John Halverson

12/13/2001

Update or Other Action

ADEC received copies of the Final Cleanup Report for work conducted in 2001. Contaminated soil was removed from a portion of the area that had been covered with a geotextile liner and soil cap, and from six previously-identified outlying areas. A total of 631 supersacks, corresponding to approximately 872 tons of PCB impacted soil, liner and cleanup material were removed and shipped to a Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD) facility in Arlington, Oregon.
The report estimates that between 1,070 and 1,410 cubic yards of soil containing > 1 mg/kg PCB still remains at the site, but is temporarily capped with a fabric liner and clean sand/gravel. ADEC is continuing to work with the Corps on the remaining cleanup needs.

John Halverson

11/6/2002

Update or Other Action

Attorney General's Office sent a letter to the Dept. of Justice stressing that a settlement agreement needs to be in place by the end of the year to allow cleanup to proceed in 2003. A change in Administration will also ocurr shortly and the State settlement authority and proposed agreement may change. Detailed information was provided in response to questions DOJ raised during a teleconference.

John Halverson

6/20/2003

Update or Other Action

DOJ responded to the Dept. of Law outlining why it thinks the State has liability for contamination at the site and requesting additional documentation on spills prior to the school district rennovations and on transformers allegedly drained by school district contractors.

John Halverson

9/8/2003

Update or Other Action

The Dept of Law issued a letter to the Dept of Justice responding to its' June 20 letter. The response outlined the why the State is not liable for spills during building renovations by the school district. The letter also provided documentation on PCB spills, discharges and disposal during White Alice site operations at numerous Alaska facilities. The letter requested reimbursement of prior state costs and that the US enter into a consent decree to complete the remaining site cleanup in exchange for a release of liablity. Response requested within thirty days.

John Halverson

9/15/2003

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Halverson and Jaynes met with Shannon & Wilson reps to scope out alternatives to review for the Aniak Middle School Feasibility Study. Among the alternatives were 1) dig, haul and screen with engineering controls 2) solvent extraction of PCBs from soil 3) soil capping 4) ECC ITDM thermal technology 5) Terra Therma in situ remediation. PM's are also open to additional technologies as practical to the Aniak area.

Mike Jaynes

10/25/2003

Update or Other Action

PRP letters were issued to ITT Arctic Services, Lucent Technologies Inc., and AT&T Alascom as former contractors working for the Air Force at the site.

John Halverson

10/30/2003

Update or Other Action

DEC, Dept of Law, Dept. of Justice, ITT, AT&T and attorney's for Lucent held a teleconference to discuss the site history, status and cleanup plans for 2004. The State explained that cleanup work needs to proceed in 2004 and that if the other parties do not undertake the work DEC will and then will seek cost recovery. None of the other parties committed to doing the work, but did not state that they were unwilling to do so. A copy of the feasibility study report will be forwarded to all parties and then another call/meeting will be held to plan the cleanup.

John Halverson

1/13/2004

Update or Other Action

DEC received the final Feasibility Study for treating PCB Contaminated Soil at the Aniak WACS/Middle School, prepared by Shannon and Wilson under contract to DEC.

John Halverson

1/14/2004

Update or Other Action

DEC and Dept of Law forwarded the feasiblity study report to the PRPs with a request that they conduct the cleanup work in 2004 or that DEC intends to proceed with state cleanup and cost recovery.

John Halverson

3/4/2004

Update or Other Action

Notice to Proceed signed for Shannon and Wilson to conduct addtional soil sampling beneath the computer room (crawl space). During rennovation from the WACS to the school building, a former doorway from the generator room to outside was removed and the computure room was constructed over the ground where additional PCBs may have been spilled/dumped.

John Halverson

3/31/2004

Update or Other Action

DEC received a letter report from Shannon and Wilson (Feasibility Study for Treating PCB Contaminated Soil). In the course of reasearching the renovation plans of the Aniak Middle School, it was discovered that a second door on the south side of the Wood Shop was present prior to renovation. This area, which is currenly under the Computer Room in a crawl space was sampled in March 2004. The four analytical soil samples collected from this area contained PCB concentrations ranging from 0.223 mg/kg to 4.99 mg/kg, with two samples containing PCB concentrations greater than the applicable cleanup level of 1 mg/kg.
A workers at the site told the sampling crew that when the rennovations were done soil was excavated from this area, stockpiled to the east and later spread out on the ground surface.

John Halverson

5/17/2004

Site Number Identifier Changed

Changed Workplan from 09 to X9 to reflect a FUDS site.

No Longer Assigned

6/29/2004

Update or Other Action

DEC reviewed and commented on a draft site characterization workplan prepared by URS for Davis, Wright and Tremaine LLP. Additional sampling and analysis are propsed by the PRPs to evaluate cleanup options. Sampling is planned in the summer of 2004.

John Halverson

12/17/2004

Update or Other Action

File number update: 2404.38.007

Aggie Blandford

4/21/2005

Update or Other Action

DEC recieved an electronic copy of a draft Feasibility Study report prepared by URS for the PRPs. A meeting with all the PRPs is scheduled for June 21 at DEC in Anchorage to discuss the site status, the two FS reports and plans for cleanup.

John Halverson

5/24/2005

Update or Other Action

DEC received a copy of the Site Characterization and Focused Feasibility Study report, dated April 21, 2005, and prepared by URS. It evaluates two cleanup alternatives. The first is cleanup to < 1 mg/kg PCB in soil to allow unrestricted future use and the cost estimate was ~$2.8M. The second alternative calls for cleanup to < 10 mg/kg PCB in soil, capping and institutional controls on maintaining the cap; the estimated cost for this alternative was $1.8M.

John Halverson

6/23/2005

Update or Other Action

DEC sent Davis Wright Tremaine LLP a letter with comments on the Aniak WACS FFS report. The letter asked for clarification on some background information, provided more information on current and future land use issues, recommened PCBs in the septic system be addressed concurrently with PCB contaminated soil at the site to be more cost effective, raised concern over long term effectiveness and protectiveness of caps over contaminated soil and that the proposed cost estimate for capping is too low, clarified that PCB contaminated soil with < 50 mg/kg PCB may be disposed of in permitted Class I municipal solid waste landfills, noted that the URS document did not take into account areas that were previously cleaned up to < 1 mg/kg - which should lower the cost estimate of cleanup alternative 1.

John Halverson

8/1/2005

Update or Other Action

DEC received revised figures and tables from Davis Wright Tremaine for inclusion in the FFS report. The transmittal message states that responses to the remainder of the comments will be provided when complete.

John Halverson

12/9/2005

Update or Other Action

Over the past ~ two months the Dept. of Law, Dept. of Justice and counsel for the other PRPs conducted depositions on witnesses and other people that have direct knowledge on the operation and maintenance activities at White Alice Sites and specifically the Aniak site and people involved with the building rennovation and subsequent cleanup activities during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Information from these interviews will be used in settlement negotiations.

John Halverson

10/10/2006

Update or Other Action

Settlement negotiations are continuing. The parties involved agreed further characterization is needed at and around the former WACS septic system. DEC signed a contract with Shannan and Wilson to conduct further sampling during Oct. 2006. The septic system lines will be excavated, but not removed, and soil samples collected beneath them. Excavated soil will be placed back in the trench and compacted. A grid will be used to collect surface and shallow subsurface soil samples around the manholes for the septic system. Additional sampling will be conducted in an area between the "equipment building" and the runway apron - the area was identified as "Area F" in the 1983 soil cleanup and sampling. DEC forwarded comments to Shannon and Wilson on their draft workplan; the comments were a compilation of comments from the various PRPs. The workplan is scheduled to be finalized in the next few days and contractors plan to mobilize to Aniak ~ Oct. 17th.

John Halverson

10/10/2006

Update or Other Action

DEC signed and concurred on a Corps of Engineers Containerize Hazardous, Toxic or Radiological Waste (CON/HTRW) project closure document. The project covered removal of old military drums from near the former White Alice Site / Middle School. Approximately 55 drums and other containers along with ~ 18 cy of contamined soil were removed from the site by Corps contractors in 1998. The closure document states the drums were removed and disposed of off-site.

John Halverson

10/16/2006

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

DEC received and approved the Site Characterization Work Plan for the Former WACS Middle School Site, dated Oct. 2006, prepared by Shannon and Wilson. It descirbes plans to collect soil and groundwater samples around the original WACS septic system, sludge/sediment samples from within the septic system, and soil samples from an "Area F" as defined in the 1983 cleanup effort. Fieldwork is to be implemented in Oct/Nov 2006.

John Halverson

1/16/2007

Update or Other Action

DEC received copies of the Draft septic system area site characterization report from Shannon and Wilson. Copies forwarded to the PRP group.

John Halverson

2/21/2007

Update or Other Action

DEC sent comments to Shannon and Wilson on the draft septic system area characterization report. Comments were included from DEC, the US Army Corps of Engineers, URS (on behalf of ATT and IT), and CDM (on behalf of Lockheed Martin).

John Halverson

3/15/2007

Update or Other Action

DEC held a teleconference with Shannan and Wilson and the PRP group for the site to discuss comments on the draft septic system area site characterization report.

DEC received the final Septic System and Area F Characterization report, dated May 2007, from Shannon and Wilson. Electronic copy provided to the PRP group. The report documents concentrations of PCBs, arsenic, chromium and TCE above cleanup levels in soil samples collected along the septic system piping (~9-11' below ground surface).
Three samples collected from the corrugated metal pipe (CMP) and Seepage Pit detected 20.5 mg/kg, 40.6 mg/kg and 262 mg/kg PCBs. Also detected were VOC compounds: TCE, cis-1,2-Dicloroethene, and 1,2-Dichloropropane in Sample CMP2 at concentrations greater than the applicable cleanup criteria. Sample CMP2 contained 3.27 mg/kg TCE, 0.279 mg/kg cis-1,2-Dicloroethene, and 0.244 mg/kg 1,2-Dichloropropane. The seepage pit Sample SPS1 contained 2.84 mg/kg 1,2,4-Triclorobenzene, which exceeds the 2 mg/kg ADEC cleanup criterion.
Arsenic concentrations, ranging from 5.64 mg/kg in Sample CMP2 to 48.2 mg/kg in Sample SPS1, were detected at concentrations greater than the applicable ADEC cleanup level. Whereas the 5.64 mg/kg arsenic in Sample CMP2 is generally considered consistent with background concentrations, the 20.5 mg/kg arsenic measured in Sample CMP1 and 48.2 mg/kg arsenic in Sample SPS1 are considered elevated above background concentrations.
Maximum concentrations of 40.9 mg/kg cadmium, 76.7 mg/kg chromium, 604 mg/kg lead, 5.65 mg/kg mercury, 12.3 mg/kg selenium, and 64.8 mg/kg silver were detected at concentrations greater than applicable cleanup levels in Samples CM2 and/or SPS1. Samples from soil borings installed around the septic system indicate contamination is fairly localized.
Groundwater in the vicinity of Former Septic System Area is generally to the northeast to northwest. A groundwater sample from MW2, adjacent to the septic system, contained TCE at 0.0056 mg/l, slightly above the cleanup standard of 0.005 mg/l.
PCB contaminated (up to 433 mg/kg) surface soil was documented around the septic system and behind the new truck fill containment pad for the above ground fuel tanks.
Hach PCB Field Test Kit-Based on the field screening and analytical sample comparison, the PCB field test kit was effective in identifying elevated concentrations of PCBs at the Project Site. The field screening test kit is generally biased high in the 1.1<x<4.9 mg/kg range, with multiple “false positive” results of samples that contained less than 1 mg/kg, based on laboratory testing. With the exception of Sample D5S2, the magnitude of the bias was less than 1 mg/kg. None of the PCB screening samples were biased low.
TCE was also found in an upgradient soil boring at a depth of ~18' below ground and a concentration of 0.305 mg/kg.

John Halverson

2/7/2008

Cleanup Assumed by ADEC

DEC issued a Notice to Proceed to Shannon and Wilson to characterize TCE contamination and cleanup PCB contamination at the former Aniak WACS. PRPs for the site have not reached a settlement agreement on conducting the cleanup nor submitted a plan to conduct the work. Cost recovery/settlement negotiation with the PRPs will continue.

John Halverson

5/21/2008

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

DEC approved the TCE Site Characterization worplan prepared by Shannon and Wilson.

John Halverson

6/13/2008

Cleanup Plan Approved

DEC approved the PCB cleanup plan prepared by Shannon and Wilson. The plan calls for excavating soil containing > 1 mg/kg PCB and off-site disposal, removal and proper disposal of an old septic system that contains PCBs, TCE and other waste, and placing a liner over low level PCB contaminated soil in a crawl space beneath a portion of the building.

John Halverson

12/23/2008

Update or Other Action

DEC sent comments to Shannon and Wilson on the draft TCE characterization report from work done in 2008. Comments from ATT/ITT and Lockheed Martin were attached. The report documents elevated concentrations of TCE found in soil and groundwater below the septic system, adjacent to the maintenance shop, and in the immediate surrounding areas. Some of the groundwater monitoring wells installed during the work were damaged or removed during the subsequent PCB cleanup work. MW-3 was damaged and still needs to be properly decommissioned. TCE concentrations in soil and groundwater raise concern over the potential for vapors to migrate into the Joe Parent school buidling and the maintenance building. The report recommends assessment of potential vapor intrusion, additional groundwater characterization, and evaluation of cleanup alternatives.

John Halverson

2/10/2009

Update or Other Action

DEC provided comments to Shannon and Wilson on the Draft PCB Cleanup Report for work conducted in 2008. Comments from ATT, ITT, Lockheed Martin, and the Corps of Engineers were attached. A significantly larger area of PCB contaminated soil was identified than anticipated. The former WACS septic system was removed. Approximately 3,000 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil and other cleanup material were shipped off-site for disposal. A concrete spill contaminment pad for the fuel loading rack had to be removed; fuel lines and associated electrical lines had to be temporarily removed and replaced. Due to funding and field season limits, exavated areas were backfilled. The 1 mg/kg PCB soil cleanup goal was not achieved. Security fencing was placed along the above ground fuel lines to prevent potential damage and limit access to areas with residual PCB contamination.

John Halverson

3/19/2009

Site Characterization Report Approved

DEC received the final report for TCE characterization work conducted in 2008. The report documents elevated concentrations of TCE found in soil and groundwater below the septic system, adjacent to the maintenance shop, and in the immediate surrounding areas. Some of the groundwater monitoring wells installed during the work were damaged or removed during the subsequent PCB cleanup work. MW-3 was damaged and still needs to be properly decommissioned. TCE concentrations in soil and groundwater raise concern over the potential for vapors to migrate into the Joe Parent Voc Tech buidling and the maintenance building. The report recommends assessment of potential vapor intrusion, additional groundwater characterization, and evaluation of cleanup alternatives.

John Halverson

4/17/2009

Update or Other Action

DEC issued a contract to Oasis Environmental to conduct a vapor instrusion assessment at the Joe Parent school and maintenance building. The objective of the contract is to determine whether TCE or other VOCs in soil/groundwater may be volatilizing and migrating into the buildings. The workplan will include evaluating potential vapor intrusion mitigation alternatives.

John Halverson

4/27/2009

Update or Other Action

DEC received the final report for PCB cleanup work conducted in 2008. A significantly larger area and volume of PCB contaminated soil was identified than anticipated. The former WACS septic system was removed. Approximately 3,000 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil and other cleanup material were shipped off-site for disposal. A concrete spill contaminment pad for the fuel loading rack had to be removed; fuel lines and associated electrical lines had to be temporarily removed and replaced. Due to funding and field season limits, exavated areas were backfilled. The 1 mg/kg PCB soil cleanup goal was not achieved. Security fencing was placed along the above ground fuel lines to prevent potential damage and limit access to areas with residual PCB contamination.

John Halverson

6/19/2009

Update or Other Action

Oasis Environmental submitted a draft vapor intrusion assessment report. The report indicates vapor intrusion is occurring at the site. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was measured in indoor air samples collected in the Joe Parent school building at concentrations above the target indoor air concentrations. The concentrations were significantly below levels that would pose an immediate (acute) health risk but were above the long term exposure (chronic) screening levels. Evaluation of measures that can be taken to prevent vapors from continuing to migrate into the building is underway along with planning for additional site characterization work.

John Halverson

6/29/2009

Update or Other Action

Based on correspondence and discussion with the PRPs and stakeholders it was determined that additional site characterization work should be conducted during 2009 followed by developing and implementing a final cleanup plan. DEC signed a contract with Shannon and Wilson to conduct the characterization and then develop a cleanup plan and budget estimate.

John Halverson

10/27/2009

Interim Removal Action Approved

The Kuspuk School District received and will be installing and contiuously operating (when the building is occupied) air purification filters in occupied rooms (classrooms, shops, offices, dorm rooms) at the Joe Parent building. The filters are being installed to remove TCE from indoor air until a long term vapor mitigation remedy is installed and operating effectively.

John Halverson

10/28/2009

Update or Other Action

DEC recieved the final Aniak White Alice Site Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Analysis report from Oasis Env. The report evaluated various methods to address potential risks caused by TCE vapors in soil migrating into the Joe Parent building. It identified sub-slab depressurization (creating a negative pressure beneath the building) as the preferred long term mitigation alternative. Other alternatives evaluated included use of air purification filters in the building, modifying the heating and ventilation system to create and maintain a positive presssure inside the building, installing vapor barriers, and reducing building occupancy.

John Halverson

11/25/2009

Update or Other Action

DEC received the draft Site Characterization Report, Former White Alice Communication System Aniak Middle School Site, dated Nov. 2009, from Shannon and Wilson. The report documents additional sampling and analysis conducted to better define the extent and location of remaining PCB contaminated soil and TCE in soil, soil gas, and groundwater. The report estimates approximately 3,500 cubic yards of soil with PCBs above the target cleanup goal of 1 mg/kg. Soil gas sampling indicated ~64,000 sq ft area has TCE above the soil screening levels; an estimated area of ~40,000 sq ft has groundwater with TCE above the cleanu level. The report includes an evaluation of potential cleanup options. The draft report is under review by DEC and other involved parties.

John Halverson

1/29/2010

Update or Other Action

DEC recevied a draft Vapor Intrusion Assessment Cumulative Report, Jan. 2010, from Oasis Env. The report provides results from the March 2009 and December 2009 vapor intrusion assessment work at the site. The report documents TCE and Freon 12 are present in indoor air at the Joe Parent building as a result of vapor intrusion. Freon 12 levels are significantly below risk based screening levels. TCE concentrations in the indoor air samples decreased approximately 75% between the March and December sampling events although 2 of the 3 samples still contained levels (0.7 and 1.3 µg/m3)above the target indoor air concentration (0.22 µg/m3). Operation of the air exchange system and the air purification filters appears to be having a positive effect.

John Halverson

3/17/2010

Update or Other Action

Shannon and Wilson provided responses to comments from the PRP group on the Nov. 2009 draft Site Characterization report.

John Halverson

3/22/2010

Update or Other Action

Shannon and Wilson submitted a letter report on its hydrologic evalation at the site. Groundwater level dataloggers were installed in 5 monitoring wells at the site in Sept. 2009. Data was retrived in December and again in February. Water levels peaked in October and again in mid-November and then dropped steadily until late February, with slightly more than 2 feet of elevation change.

John Halverson

4/23/2010

Update or Other Action

DEC signed an NTP with Oasis Environmental to design, construct, install and operate a vapor intrusion mitigation system (sub-slab depressurization with an additional blower and controllers for a vapor extraction system). Contract includes operation through June 2011.

John Halverson

5/24/2010

Update or Other Action

Shannon and Wilson submitted a revised draft Site Characterization Report for work done in 2009 and evaluation of cleanup alternatives. Document forwarded to PRP group for review and comment.

John Halverson

6/22/2010

Update or Other Action

Oasis submitted the final design for the sub-slab depressurization system. Construction of the system begins.

John Halverson

6/30/2010

Update or Other Action

Shannon and Wilson submitted its final letter report on groundwater level fluctuations. Data loggers were installed in MWs at the site in Sept 2009 and removed in May 2010. Groundwater levels increased by approximately 5 feet during April/May. The seasonal groundwater flow direction changed from a gradient of ~0.04% to the north during low water levels to a gradient of 0.02 - 0.17% to the south during high water events. The gradient was relatively flat at less than 0.2% throughout the monitoring period. Water level fluctuations corresponded to periods of rainfall, warming and thaw events during the winter, and water levels in the river when not frozen. Groundwater levels were lowest during times where the ground and river were frozen.

John Halverson

6/30/2010

Site Characterization Report Approved

DEC received the Final Site Characterization Report, Former Aniak WACS, dated June 2010, from Shannon and Wilson. The report documents additional site characterization work conducted during 2009 and evaluation of cleanup alternatives. The report estimates 3,550 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil (PCB > 1 mg/kg) remains on-site. It identified two apparent source areas for TCE contamination (floor drains and former septic system at the WACS building, and maintenance building floor drain or spillage). A soil gas survey delineated an area covering approximately 64,000 square feet and comprising about 12,000 cubic yards of soil as being impacted with TCE. It also identifies two apparent localized TCE contaminated groundwater plumes. A hydrogeologic study was conducted to monitor fluctuation in groundwater levels and flow directions and to assess the potential impact of full scale pumping from the on-site water supply systems. The report evaluates a range of cleanup alternatives and estimated costs. It recommends excavation and off-site disposal of PCB and co-located TCE contaminated soil, soil vapor extraction to treat TCE contaminated soil, and a combination of air sparging, monitored natural attenuation and institutional controls for groundwater contamination.

Oasis Environmental installed and turned on the sub-slab depressurization system to mitigate TCE vapor intrusion into the Joe Parent school building.

John Halverson

3/11/2011

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the Final - Aniak WACS - Remediation System Quarterly O&M Report, Fourth Quarter 2010, from Oasis Environmental. The report describes operation and monitoring of the sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system beneath the Joe Parent school building between Sept 1 and December 30, 2010. The system appears to effetively establish a negative pressure gradient between the sub-slab soil and the indoor air when operating as intended. There were some problems with condensation collecting in some of the lines and other minor repairs and system modifications.
The indoor air TCE levels decreased following start-up of the SSD system, but remained above the target levels for 2 of the 3 sampling locations. The concentration of TCE is soil gas samples collected beneath the buidling decreased significantly.
An indoor diesel fuel spill (not related to the on-going environmental cleanup) caused post-ponement of an indoor air monitoring event because the petroleum vapors would have masked the low level TCE vapors.

John Halverson

4/12/2011

Update or Other Action

Oasis Environmental submitted a table with draft indoor air and sub-slab soil gas sample results from sampling conducted in March. The results indicate low concentration of TCE in the soil gas samples and the indoor air samples. However, the indoor air TCE results were higher than anticipated and the ratio between the soil gas to indoor air results raises questions on whether there may be an indoor air source contributing to the TCE levels in indoor air. Another monitoring event is scheduled for the second week of May.

John Halverson

5/6/2011

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

DEC received the final, approved, Workplan for Additional Characterization and Groundwater Monitoring at the Former Aniak WACS, dated May 2, 2011 and prepared by Oasis Environmental. The plan calls for purchasing dedicated dataloggers and installing them in seven monitoring wells to monitor wate level fluctuations over time. Groundwater samples will be collected from all existing monitoring wells and will be analyzed for VOCs using EPA Method 8260B and for monitored natural attenuation parameters. The data will facilitate completion of the groundwater feasibility study and future decision on groundwater remediation.

John Halverson

5/9/2011

Update or Other Action

Sub-zero temperatures during December caused condensation in several of the extraction lines to freeze, which resulted in the sub-slab depressurization system to not effectively create a negative pressure beneath portions of the building. During January 2011, Oasis Environmental staff added additional heat trace and insulation to the extraction lines in the unheated portion of the attic. The system had thawed and was operating as intended again by early February.

John Halverson

6/22/2011

Update or Other Action

Oasis submitted the Final - Aniak White Alice Site - Remediation System Quarterly OM&M Report, 1st QTR 2011. The sub-slab depressurization system (SSD)operated continuously between Sept. 2010 and February 2011. However, due to freezing of condensate in some of the extraction lines during Dec. and Jan. portions of the area beneath the building did not have a negative pressure. Additional heat trace and insulation were added to the lines in January and the system returned to normal operations. Subslab vapor monitoring shows the TCE concentrations beneath the building have decreased significantly (by two to three orders of magnitude at several points) but most remain slightly above the target level. Indoor air monitoring shows continued low level TCE that exceeds the target indoor air levels. DEC is working with the other parties involved to replace carbon in the indoor air filters and with the school district to remove chemicals from the building that may contain TCE (i.e., parts cleaners, solvents, adhesives...).

John Halverson

6/29/2011

Update or Other Action

DEC extended the contracts with Oasis Environmental to continue operating, maintaining and monitoring the vapor intrusion mitigation system through June 30, 2012 and to continue working on the groundwater feasibility study.

John Halverson

9/16/2011

Report or Workplan Review - Other

Oasis submitted the Final Remediation System Quarterly Report OM&M, 2nd Quarter 2011. The report describes operations, maintenance and monitoring associated with the sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system at the Joe Parent School Building. The system operated continuously during the reporting period. During April, condensate was removed from DW-7 and DW-11 conveyance lines; no water was found in any of the lines during May and June. Sub-slab and sub-membrane vapor pressures were measured during each maintenance event and system adjustments were made to optimize the depressurization. Sub-slab vapor pressure targets were achieved at all monitoring points except SS-1 in the dormitory wing. Indoor air, sub-slab, and exhaust gas samples were collected during May. TCE concentrations in the indoor air samples remained elevated at levels similar to those measured in May. TCE concentrations in the sub-slab soil gas samples have decreased significantly compared to pre-SSD operations; however, a similar consistent decrease in indoor air concentrations has not been observed. A sample from the crawl space beneath the Home Sciences classroom met the indoor air target level; however the sample collected in the Home Science room contained TCE above the target level. These results indicate a likely indoor air source for TCE and/or that TCE vapors are being distributed within the building from the operation of the air handling system. Following the May monitoring event DEC and Oasis staff worked with the Kuspuk School District on removing potential TCE containing chemicals from the building and improving housekeeping practices to remove potential indoor sources. The exhaust gas sample did not contain contaminants of concern above the laboratory method reporting limits. An Exhaust Re-entry Evaluation was done to assess whether TCE in the exhaust could be reintroduced into the building. The report recommended: balancing the HVAC system to create positive pressure inside the building; weatherizing the building to reduce leakage cracks; and verifying the rain cap is removed from the SSD exhaust stack to allow vertical exhaust vectors.

John Halverson

12/9/2011

Update or Other Action

Oasis submitted the Remediation System Quarterly OM&M Report 3rd Quarter 2011 on Dec. 9th. The monitoring data indicates the sub-slab depressurization system is creating a negative pressure beneath the building as intended. The vacuum target of 0.020 inches of inWC is being achieved in all the sub-slab monitoring points with the exception of SS-1, in the dormitory wing. The vacuum target is not being met beneath the membrane installed in the crawl space beneath the south end of the building; however air samples collected in the crawl space did not contain TCE above the health-based target concentrations. However, TCE concentrations have increased by an order of magnitude in the metals shop and by lower amounts in some other rooms. The data indicates an apparent on-going indoor source of TCE.

John Halverson

1/31/2012

Update or Other Action

Oasis Environmental submitted the Final 4th Quarter 2011 VI System Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring Report. The TCE concentrations measured in samples from indoor air decreased at each location sampled between the 3rd and 4th quarter monitoring events. Sub-slab TCE concentrations measured in November were measured at historic lows. The increases in TCE levels in indoor air during the first three quarters may have been due to spent carbon in the air purification filters, an increase in sub-slab TCE concentrations, and/or an intermittent indoor air source of TCE. Carbon was replaced in the filters one month prior to the November sampling. Monitoring data continues to indicate an indoor TCE source is contributing the indoor air quality problem.

John Halverson

2/1/2012

Update or Other Action

DEC, through the Dept of Law, notified the Responsible Parties (RPs) that the State no longer intends (starting in FY13) to fund the operation and maintenance of the vapor intrusion mitigation system or other cleanup activities at the site. The RPs need to fund and conduct the necessary work and reimburse the State for its prior response and oversight expenses.

Oasis Environmental submitted the Remediation System Quarterly OM&M Report for the 1st Quarter of 2012. TCE concentrations in indoor air samples remained consistent between the 4th quarter 2011 and 1st quarter 2012; levels in some areas continue to exceed the target levels for residential indoor air. Sub-slab TCE concentrations were found to be below the target levels for sub-slab soil gas, with the exception of beneath the metals and wood shops. The sub-slab concentrations were all at historic lows, except beneath the wood shop. Data continue to indicate a consistent indoor source of TCE.

John Halverson

7/1/2012

Update or Other Action

DEC agreed to continue to pay the electrical bill for operation of the sub-slab depressurization system through the end of the calendar year, to allow the RPs time to develop an interim funding agreement and set up a contract to operate, maintain and monitor the system. DEC is not funding any other operations, maintenance or monitoring activities at the site.

John Halverson

7/3/2012

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the final Focused Feasibility Study - Groundwater, June 2012 report from Oasis Environmental. Five groundwater remediation alternatives were evaluated. The No Action alternative does not meet the regulatory requirements nor could it be confirmed as being protective. Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) and Enhanced Reductive Dechlorination (ERD) were the most cost effective; ERD may be more effective but also would be more expensive. If cleanup in the shortest timeframe is preferred, In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is preferred, although it appears to be the most expensive. Air sparging scored low on effectiveness. Additional characterization and soil cleanup are recommended prior to selecting a final groundwater remedy.

John Halverson

7/3/2012

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the final Remediation System Quarterly OM&M Report, 2nd Quarter 2012, June 2012 from Oasis Environmental. TCE concentrations were similar at each indoor air monitoring location between the 4th quarter 2011 and 2nd quarter 2012 monitoring events. The sub-slab depressurization system has significantly decreased TCE concentrations beneath the building and sub-slab TCE concentrations met or were below the target levels except for beneath the metals shop. Because indoor air TCE levels are being measured at a similar magnitude as the sub-slab TCE concentrations, data indicates a persistent indoor air source for TCE. The School District has removed many products containing volatile organic compounds from the building and stores them in a separate shop building. No obvious indoor air source(s) of TCE have been found during recent building surveys. The report includes several recommendations for future OM&M.

John Halverson

3/22/2013

Update or Other Action

The Kuspuk School District (KSD) closed the Joe Parent School building effective March 22, 2013 until an adequate air monitoring program is re-initiated and sufficient data are collected to demonstrate that TCE levels in indoor air are below levels of concern. ADEC had been paying for and administering the operations, maintenance and monitoring of the sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system and indoor air monitoring. However, in early 2012, ADEC notified KSD and the other potentially responsible parties (PRPs) that they, rather than DEC, would need to operate and maintain the SSD system and monitor the air quality starting in July 2012. ADEC did continue to fund operation of the SSD system through 2012, but did not have funding for monitoring, nor had KSD or the other PRPs funded or conducted air monitoring.

John Halverson

10/7/2013

Cleanup Plan Approved

DEC approved the October 2013 Vapor Intrusion Mitigation OM&M and Assessment Sampling Work Plan, prepared by ERM Alaska, Inc. It describes plans for re-initiating indoor air and sub-slab vapor monitoring; routine operations, maintenance and monitoring of the sub-slab depressurization system; and monitoring and replacement of the pre-filters and granular activated carbon in the indoor air filters throughout the building. Monthly air sampling is planned in October, November and December followed by quarterly monitoring in February, May and August. The monitoring schedule may be adjusted based on data that is gathered.

John Halverson

11/5/2013

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received preliminary results from the October vapor intrusion monitoring. The data indicate that TCE concentrations in the sub-slab soil gas samples and the indoor air samples are below the target levels. More detailed information will be provided in the quarterly report will be submitted.

John Halverson

12/29/2013

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received preliminary results from the November vapor intrusion monitoring. The data indicate that TCE concentrations in the sub-slab soil gas samples and the indoor air samples are below the target levels. More detailed information will be provided in the quarterly report will be submitted.

John Halverson

4/16/2014

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received preliminary results from the February 2014 vapor intrusion monitoring. The data indicate that TCE concentrations in the sub-slab soil gas samples and the indoor air samples are below the target levels. More detailed information will be provided in the quarterly report will be submitted.

John Halverson

7/22/2014

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received preliminary results from the June vapor intrusion monitoring. Prior to this monitoring event the Kuspuk School District turned off the HVAC system, conducted a thorough inspection of the building and removed any materials thought to potentially contain TCE, and locked the building to prevent use/access. The preliminary data results indicate that TCE concentrations in the sub-slab soil gas samples and the indoor air samples remained below the target levels. More detailed information will be provided in the quarterly report that will be submitted.

John Halverson

11/26/2014

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the October 2014 Data Summary Report on Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System and Assessment, dated November 2014, prepared by ERM Alaska. The report summarizes indoor air and sub-slab soil gas analytical results from samples collected in early October. The results were all below the target levels. The report also summarizes inspection and maintenance of the sub-slab depressurization system and the indoor air purification filters. The depressurization system continues to operate as intended. Some of the indoor air filtration units are no longer operational and some others were found turned off; the field crew turned the filters back on at the low setting.

John Halverson

5/11/2015

Update or Other Action

DEC staff participated in a web-meeting with the PRP group, Geosyntec Consultants, and ERM Alaska, Inc. to review the vapor intrusion mitigation efforts and results to date. The data indicate VOCs in indoor air and sub-slab soil gas beneath the building have been at concentrations below the target levels for several monitoring events; continued operation of the indoor air purification filters does not appear necessary; and operation of the depressurization system could be modified to make it more cost efficient. It was also recommended that the Kuspuk School District develop an indoor air quality program to manage materials brought into the building that could adversely affect air quality.
ERM, under contract to the School District, will develop a revised VI Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring Plan that will include provisions for optimizing operation of the SSD system.

John Halverson

5/28/2015

Enforcement Action

DEC issued a notice of intent to file a federal citizen suit (Complaint) against the United States of America, AK DOT and Public Facilities, AK Department of Education and Early Development, the Kuspuk School District, Alascom, Inc., Exelis Arctic Services, Inc., and Lockheed Martin. The Complaint seeks cost recovery on expenses the State incurred responding to hazardous substance releases at the site and seeks injunctive relief requiring the defendants to respond to PCBs and TCE remaining at the site.

John Halverson

7/8/2015

Cleanup Plan Approved

DEC issued conditional approval of the draft 2015-2016 Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Optimization and Assessment Sampling Work Plan. Minor editorial changes will be made and a final version submitted, however, approval was granted to begin fieldwork. The plan calls for three separate OM&M inspection and optimization efforts, followed by three sampling efforts (indoor air, sub-slab soil gas, and SSD emissions) in 2015 and again in 2016. The initial optimization and monitoring event is scheduled to start the week of July 13.

John Halverson

8/27/2015

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the July 2015 Data Summary Report, VI Mitigation, Aniak Middle School. The report summarizes operations, maintenance and monitoring activities conducted on July 13-14 and July 27-30. Several of the depressurization wells were found to have no airflow due to condensate collecting in the lines, which was subsequently removed. Airflow throughout the system was adjusted and maintenance was performed. During the later monitoring event, 6 indoor air samples, one air sample from the crawl space and 6 sub-slab soil gas samples were collected. Laboratory analytical results indicate TCE was not detected in the indoor air or crawl space sample. Single digit ug/m3 TCE levels were measure in the soil gas samples. The mitigation system is operating as designed and intended.

John Halverson

10/2/2015

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the Final Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System and Assessment 2013 and 2014 Comprehensive Report, prepared by ERM. The report summarizes the operation, maintenance and monitoring of the sub-slab depressurization system and monitoring of the indoor air quality and volatile organic compound concentrations in soil gas beneath the building. Indoor air filters were operated; granular activated carbon in the filters was replaced in the fall of 2013. The filters were turned off for approximately one month before indoor air samples were collected in June 2014. TCE has not been detected in indoor air samples since June 2014, regardless of whether the indoor air filters were running. Sub-slab soil gas samples collected while the depressurization system was running did not contain VOCs at concentrations above the target levels. Temporary sources of TCE during building use appear to be major contributors to exceedances of the target levels prior to the temporary building closure in 2013. Continued operation of the sub-slab depressurization system and managing materials brought into the building are recommended.

John Halverson

10/14/2015

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the Aniak VI Mitigation OM&M - September 2015 Data Summary Report. The sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system was inspected and sampling was conducted between Sept 15-17. The system was operating as designed, negative pressure was being maintained beneath the building. TCE was not detected above the reporting limits in any of the six air samples collected inside the building or in a sample from the crawl space. TCE in sub-slab soil gas samples was measured in the single digit ug/m3 concentrations.

A Consent Decree (CD) allocating reimbursement of past DEC costs amongst the PRPs and establishing agreement on future PCB cleanup actions and TCE Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) activities has been finalized, signed by all the Parties and filed in court. The CD defines cost sharing allocations between the parties. ADOT/PF will contract for and manage the PCB cleanup activities. Alascom, Exelis ASI, and Lockheed Martin will contract for and manage the TCE RI/FS. The Kuspuk School District and ADOT will establish and maintain institutional controls for PCB contamination underneath/adjacent to the former White Alice/Joe Parent Vocational Education building.

John Halverson

7/21/2016

Update or Other Action

DEC reviewed and provided comments on a draft TCE RI/FS work plan. The plan calls for conducting additional soil and groundwater characterization to better delineate the extent of VOC impacts and evaluate potential response actions.

John Halverson

9/16/2016

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

DEC approved the Aniak WACS - Final TCE RI/FS Work Plan. The plan calls for conducting additional soil and groundwater characterization in the fall of 2016, submitting an interim data report in Feb. 2017, groundwater monitoring and installation of any additional monitoring wells and replacement wells that may be necessary following the PCB soil cleanup work in 2017, and submittal of draft RI and FS reports in early 2018.

John Halverson

1/17/2017

Update or Other Action

Geosyntec, consultant for the PRP group, submitted a Remedial Investigation (RI) Data Summary Letter that contains a site figure and data tables showing sampling locations and results from the 2016 fieldwork. The data show that the majority of the TCE impacts are on the west-southwest side of the building between the former septic tank, fuel truck loading area, and SW corner of the building. A full RI report will be submitted in Feb. 2018 following implementation of the PCB cleanup and additional groundwater monitoring as part of the RI.

John Halverson

3/10/2017

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC reviewed and approved the Draft VI Mitigation System OM&M and Assessment 2015 Comprehensive Report. It summarizes monitoring and maintenance activities associated with the sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system, sub-slab soil vapor, crawl space air and indoor air quality. The results indicate the mitigation efforts remain protective for building occupants. The indoor air, crawl space and sub-slab soil gas concentrations remained below target levels or remedial action objectives during 2015. The indoor air purification filters were turned off and stored on-site. The SSD system operations were optimized by lowing the sub-slab vacuum and extraction well flow rates, to reduce operational costs, while monitoring to ensure protectiveness. System operation and monitoring continued through 2016.

ADOT submitted a Final PCB-Contaminated Soil Removal Work Plan, Revision 2 that addressed prior comments from DEC and Lockheed Martin/Geosyntec. The plan is approved for implementation and fieldwork is scheduled to start during the first week of June and be completed by early August 2017.

John Halverson

7/26/2017

Report or Workplan Review - Other

DEC received the Final 2016 Comprehensive Report for VI and OM&M activities at the Aniak Middle School. The report concludes that operation of the subslab depressurization (SSD) system is effective at mitigating vapor intrusion into the building; continued operation and monitoring of the system is necessary; operation of the air purification filters is no longer necessary; chemical inventories and control over bringing chemicals into the building continues to be necessary; and optimization efforts have been beneficial but further flow rate reductions should not be made until at least two additional sets of VI monitoring data are collected and evaluated. Recommendations included increasing the SSD system flow rate beneath the metals shop to optimize mitigation; continuing OM&M activities; and finalizing and implementing the Indoor Air Quality Management Plan to manage/prevent indoor air sources of TCE or other volatile organic compounds.

John Halverson

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